< Tranquil Sea staked his claims for the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival with an impressive performance in his prep race, the Newlands Chase at Leopardstown.

Andrew McNamara was always travelling sweetly on Edward O'Grady's charge and eased into the lead rounding the home turn.

Ahead jumping the last, the 4-6 favourite did not have to be asked a serious question as he pulled clear of Natal to win by two and a half lengths, with Snowy Morning running on well into third.

O'Grady completed a quick double when the JP Magnier-ridden Shot From The Hip (6-1) quickened from the front to take the Ladbrokes Cheltenham Bumper Series INH Flat Race by three lengths.< Won In The Dark set himself up for a possible tilt at the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham with a smart performance in the Ballsbridge Hurdle.

Front-runner Beau Michael made the best of his way home in the straight, but Davy Russell had the move well covered on Sabrina Harty's 9-10 favourite, who led at the last before clearing away to beat Head Of The Posse by three lengths.< Major Finnegan s early departure seemed to leave the way clear for Citizen Vic in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Chase, but Willie Mullins' charge was made to work hard for his success.

Ruby Walsh sent the 9-10 favourite into the lead on the home turn, but See U Bob went with him and they had a battle royal up the run-in before Citizen Vic forged clear by two and a half lengths.

Mullins saddled MCR Hurdle fourth Tarkari in the www.leopardstown.com Handicap Hurdle and the 5-2 favourite, called on for his effort approaching the last, responded to Walsh's urgings to overhaul Jigalo for a length victory.

The Mullins-Walsh team also scored with Cadspeed (11-8 favourite), who ended a string of seconds by running on seven lengths too strong for Marlay Park in the two-mile Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle.

Paddy Flood had the Arthur Moore-trained Stewarts House at the head of affairs all the way in the Carrickmines Handicap Chase and the 9-2 favourite stayed on strongly to ac